Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (July 6, 2021) spoke to Dalai Lama over phone and wished the Tibetan spiritual leader on his 86th birthday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the news through his official Twitter account.

The Prime Minister said, "Spoke on phone to His Holiness Dalai Lama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life."

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Spoke on phone to His Holiness the <a href="https://twitter.com/DalaiLama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DalaiLama</a> to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1412310494870913032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This, notably, is a very significant development as for the first time a public announcement has come on PM Modi's call to Dalai Lama on his birthday. No such public announcements were made in 2017 during the Doklam crisis or during the Galwan stand-off in 2020.&nbsp;

However, during his days as the chief minister of Gujarat, PM Modi used to regularly wish Dalai Lama.

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been living in India for more than six decades now.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, he acknowledged how India's freedom and religious harmony have served him. In a virtual address from his residence in Dharamshala, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, "Since I became a refugee and settled in India, I have taken full advantage of India's freedom and religious harmony. I want to assure you that for the rest of my life, I am committed to reviving ancient Indian knowledge."&nbsp;

"I really appreciate the Indian concept of secular values, not dependent on religion, such as honesty, karuna (compassion) and ahimsa (non-violence)," he added. 
&nbsp;

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HHDL’s message on the occasion of his 86th birthday on July 6, 2021. <a href="https://t.co/RBJQ8y8RaM">https://t.co/RBJQ8y8RaM</a>
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) <a href="https://twitter.com/DalaiLama/status/1412207105868632084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The development, on expected lines, will be keenly watched by China. China in the past has come up with strong comments if anything related to Tibet, Taiwan, atrocities in Xinjiang has been raised but that has only been counterproductive with these issues gathering more focus globally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (July 6, 2021) spoke to Dalai Lama over phone and wished the Tibetan spiritual leader on his 86th birthday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the news through his official Twitter account.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (July 6, 2021) spoke to Dalai Lama over phone and wished the Tibetan spiritual leader on his 86th birthday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the news through his official Twitter account. The Prime Minister said, "Spoke on phone to His Holiness Dalai Lama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life." Spoke on phone to His Holiness the @DalaiLama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2021 × This, notably, is a very significant development as for the first time a public announcement has come on PM Modi's call to Dalai Lama on his birthday. No such public announcements were made in 2017 during the Doklam crisis or during the Galwan stand-off in 2020. However, during his days as the chief minister of Gujarat, PM Modi used to regularly wish Dalai Lama. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been living in India for more than six decades now. Earlier in the day, he acknowledged how India's freedom and religious harmony have served him. In a virtual address from his residence in Dharamshala, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, "Since I became a refugee and settled in India, I have taken full advantage of India's freedom and religious harmony. I want to assure you that for the rest of my life, I am committed to reviving ancient Indian knowledge." "I really appreciate the Indian concept of secular values, not dependent on religion, such as honesty, karuna (compassion) and ahimsa (non-violence)," he added. HHDL’s message on the occasion of his 86th birthday on July 6, 2021. https://t.co/RBJQ8y8RaM — Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) July 6, 2021 × The development, on expected lines, will be keenly watched by China. China in the past has come up with strong comments if anything related to Tibet, Taiwan, atrocities in Xinjiang has been raised but that has only been counterproductive with these issues gathering more focus globally.

PM Narendra Modi dials Dalai Lama, wishes him on his birthday

As Tibetans start grappling with the once-unthinkable prospect of the octogenarian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-has-to-stand-up-to-china-on-dalai-lamas-succession-237820">Dalai Lama</a>'s passing, the United States is looking to lay down a red line against China handpicking his<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/reincarnation-of-the-dalai-lama-should-follow-national-rules-china-204287"> successor</a>.

Through a warning from a senior official and legislation under consideration in Congress, the United States is hoping to make clear in advance that Beijing would face international opprobrium if it tries to take over the reincarnation process.

At 84, the 14th Dalai Lama has slowed his once incessant travel down a notch and earlier this year was hospitalized for a chest infection, although there is no indication he faces serious health issues.

Nonetheless, both Tibetan activists and Beijing are keenly aware that his death will mark a major setback in his push for more autonomy for the Himalayan region, depriving the cause of a Nobel Prize winner whose moral teachings and idiosyncratic humour have made him one of the world's most popular religious leaders.

China has not held talks with the Dalai Lama's representatives for nine years and has increasingly hinted it may identify his successor -- who, Beijing would presume, would back its iron-fisted rule of Tibet.

A bill recently introduced in the US Congress would call for sanctions on any Chinese official who interferes with Tibetan Buddhist succession practices.

Testifying Wednesday before Congress, David Stilwell, the top State Department official for East Asia, vowed that the United States would keep pressing for "meaningful autonomy" for Tibetans.

"Disturbingly — and ironically — the party continues to assert its role in the Dalai Lama's reincarnation process, even as President Xi has urged party members to remain 'unyielding Marxist atheists,'" he said.

"We believe that Tibetans, like all faith communities, must be able to practice their faith freely and select their leaders without interference," he said.

Questioning tradition

Tibetan monks traditionally choose the Dalai Lama through a ritualistic search that can take years, with a wandering party seeking telltale signs that a young boy is the reincarnation of the last spiritual leader.

The 14th Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since fleeing an aborted uprising in 1959, has mused of a non-traditional succession that would throw off China.

He has said he could choose a successor while he is still alive -- possibly a girl -- or even decide that he was the final Dalai Lama.

Matteo Mecacci, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, a Washington-based pressure group close to the Dalai Lama, said that the legislation introduced in the

US Congress would send a clear message both to China and Tibetans.

"We hope that the Dalai Lama will live much longer, but having early legislation, I think, will have an impact on Chinese thinking," he said.

"I'm not saying this is going to change the decision of the Chinese government, but they will probably have to reconsider some of the fallout and its implications," he said.

The bill, introduced in the House by Democrat Jim McGovern, would also prevent China from opening new consulates in the United States until Washington can open a mission in Tibet's capital Lhasa.

A rising China

Mecacci, a former member of parliament in Italy, said the US law would have an impact on decision-makers in Europe and Asia and warned of international effects if China installs a compliant Dalai Lama.

"If you have a religious leader who is the arm of a foreign government and who has Buddhist centres around the world, this is part of a much more ambitious plan to control Buddhism," he said.

Lobsang Sangay, who was elected Tibetan prime minister-in-exile after the Dalai Lama ceded his political role, said Beijing's goal was to "make Tibet into Chinese territory and make Tibetans into Chinese."

China has faced international criticism for the treatment of its mostly Muslim Uighur minority, with the detention of up to one million people in re-education camps in the western region of Xinjiang.

China says it is providing vocational training and that it has brought development to both Xinjiang and Tibet.

Some observers expect a repeat of 1995 when China selected its own Panchen Lama and detained a six-year-old identified for the influential Buddhist position -- who was dubbed the world's youngest political prisoner.

But Sangay, on a recent visit to Washington, doubted that any Dalai Lama tapped by China would enjoy legitimacy.

"Let's say Fidel Castro recognized a pope and tells all the Catholics, 'Hey, this is my pope, will you follow him,'" he said. "How many Catholics will follow that pope?"

As Tibetans start grappling with the once-unthinkable prospect of the octogenarian Dalai Lama's passing, the United States is looking to lay down a red line against China handpicking his successor.

As Tibetans start grappling with the once-unthinkable prospect of the octogenarian Dalai Lama's passing, the United States is looking to lay down a red line against China handpicking his successor. Through a warning from a senior official and legislation under consideration in Congress, the United States is hoping to make clear in advance that Beijing would face international opprobrium if it tries to take over the reincarnation process. At 84, the 14th Dalai Lama has slowed his once incessant travel down a notch and earlier this year was hospitalized for a chest infection, although there is no indication he faces serious health issues. Nonetheless, both Tibetan activists and Beijing are keenly aware that his death will mark a major setback in his push for more autonomy for the Himalayan region, depriving the cause of a Nobel Prize winner whose moral teachings and idiosyncratic humour have made him one of the world's most popular religious leaders. China has not held talks with the Dalai Lama's representatives for nine years and has increasingly hinted it may identify his successor -- who, Beijing would presume, would back its iron-fisted rule of Tibet. A bill recently introduced in the US Congress would call for sanctions on any Chinese official who interferes with Tibetan Buddhist succession practices. Testifying Wednesday before Congress, David Stilwell, the top State Department official for East Asia, vowed that the United States would keep pressing for "meaningful autonomy" for Tibetans. "Disturbingly — and ironically — the party continues to assert its role in the Dalai Lama's reincarnation process, even as President Xi has urged party members to remain 'unyielding Marxist atheists,'" he said. "We believe that Tibetans, like all faith communities, must be able to practice their faith freely and select their leaders without interference," he said. Questioning tradition Tibetan monks traditionally choose the Dalai Lama through a ritualistic search that can take years, with a wandering party seeking telltale signs that a young boy is the reincarnation of the last spiritual leader. The 14th Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since fleeing an aborted uprising in 1959, has mused of a non-traditional succession that would throw off China. He has said he could choose a successor while he is still alive -- possibly a girl -- or even decide that he was the final Dalai Lama. Matteo Mecacci, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, a Washington-based pressure group close to the Dalai Lama, said that the legislation introduced in the US Congress would send a clear message both to China and Tibetans. "We hope that the Dalai Lama will live much longer, but having early legislation, I think, will have an impact on Chinese thinking," he said. "I'm not saying this is going to change the decision of the Chinese government, but they will probably have to reconsider some of the fallout and its implications," he said. The bill, introduced in the House by Democrat Jim McGovern, would also prevent China from opening new consulates in the United States until Washington can open a mission in Tibet's capital Lhasa. A rising China Mecacci, a former member of parliament in Italy, said the US law would have an impact on decision-makers in Europe and Asia and warned of international effects if China installs a compliant Dalai Lama. "If you have a religious leader who is the arm of a foreign government and who has Buddhist centres around the world, this is part of a much more ambitious plan to control Buddhism," he said. Lobsang Sangay, who was elected Tibetan prime minister-in-exile after the Dalai Lama ceded his political role, said Beijing's goal was to "make Tibet into Chinese territory and make Tibetans into Chinese." China has faced international criticism for the treatment of its mostly Muslim Uighur minority, with the detention of up to one million people in re-education camps in the western region of Xinjiang. China says it is providing vocational training and that it has brought development to both Xinjiang and Tibet. Some observers expect a repeat of 1995 when China selected its own Panchen Lama and detained a six-year-old identified for the influential Buddhist position -- who was dubbed the world's youngest political prisoner. But Sangay, on a recent visit to Washington, doubted that any Dalai Lama tapped by China would enjoy legitimacy. "Let's say Fidel Castro recognized a pope and tells all the Catholics, 'Hey, this is my pope, will you follow him,'" he said. "How many Catholics will follow that pope?"

Dalai Lama's succession: US lays down red line against China's handpicking

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PM Narendra Modi dials Dalai Lama, wishes him on his birthday

Dalai Lama's succession: US lays down red line against China's handpicking